Santa Clara officials oppose San Jose's homeless citation plan

Santa Clara County leaders are criticizing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s proposal to cite and arrest homeless individuals who refuse shelter. They claim the plan is "ineffective and a distraction" as many are waiting for shelter. Mahan's "Responsibility to Shelter" proposal would allow police to issue misdemeanor charges for trespassing to those who reject shelter three times in 18 months. This is part of a broader effort by San Jose to address homelessness, which includes creating no-parking zones for RVs and extending sidewalk bans for homeless people. Mahan argues that San Jose has increased its shelter capacity and enforcement, but he believes Santa Clara County needs to do more. He urges the county to support vulnerable residents as they also battle homelessness. County Executive James Williams defended the county's existing efforts. He noted that the county has invested significantly in services and stated that criminalizing homelessness is not the answer. Supervisor Otto Lee also expressed concern, saying it is inhumane to penalize those living outdoors. Santa Clara County is already using significant funds to help combat homelessness in San Jose, including plans for more behavioral health treatment beds. Leaders from the county emphasize their commitment to providing essential services and improving access to care. The county sheriff's office indicated that the proposed policy may not lead to jail time, as most offenses would result in citations rather than serious charges. Meanwhile, safety net services are critical, especially with significant federal impacts looming. Critics argue that the mayor’s plan prioritizes political points over genuine solutions to homelessness. Jennifer Loving, a nonprofit leader, called it a bad approach that could worsen the situation, emphasizing the pressing need for more housing options.